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Own or drive this car?

160 Elegance 5dr

Dario Di-Felice
Date:
13/05/2005

Overall verdict

4
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

4
out of 5 stars

Running costs

5
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

5
out of 5 stars

My car

I ran my A160 ACS for 58,000 miles over 3 years, 30K of them being done in the first year of ownership.
It was really comfortable, surprisingly quick for 1.6 engine.
Only dislike is steering requires too much arm movement around town, but not too bad really.
Only 1 problem - rear suspension replacement £300
MBenz services average between £130 - £300
58,000 miles cost me £1,300 in services & repairs.
Not too bad considering they were all done by MB main dealer
Car now 6 yrs old, with 68,000 on the clock - still looks good.
Leather seats throughout - still like new.
Very practical car.
I have bought another one, but this time a 1.9 LWB ACS.

140 Avantgarde 5dr

Marcus Stewart
,
Somerset
.
Date:
06/04/2005

Overall verdict

3
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

3
out of 5 stars

Running costs

1
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

3
out of 5 stars

My car

My father has owned the top-spec 1.4 since Oct 02. It's been manifestly unreliable, having been returned to the dealer several times for repairs, and the servicing costs are shocking.

He does fewer than 4000 miles per annum. Given the marque, the lack of miles driven, the initial cost of the car and the servicing costs, it's been pretty disappointing and he certainly won't be getting another!

170 CDI Classic 5dr

Jeremy Stokes
,
Somerset
.
Date:
30/03/2005

Overall verdict

3
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

2
out of 5 stars

Running costs

3
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

2
out of 5 stars

My car

I purchased an A170CDi Classic new in 2001 and have just part-exchanged it for a Focus after having driven it just over 47,000 miles.

What's good is the fuel economy and performance of the 1.7 diesel engine. Fuel economy of 50mpg was easily attainable on a run, perhaps more if I tried! It always had a decent amount of power available.

Its image is good - the Mercedes badge counts for a lot. Space inside was excellent - like the Tardis. The high-up driving position gave a good view and I could always get a comfortable driving position. It never failed to start or broke down.

What's bad? Where to start? Servicing costs were very expensive at the dealer. I think the design meant that routine jobs were quite lengthy to carry out. A major service was £590, with no particularly exceptional work carried out.

The ride was very hard and stability was poor - you had to hang on if it was windy and you were on the motorway. The cabin interior felt cheap and controls were poorly located.

Many stone chips appeared on the (metallic) paintwork at the front. The power-steering pump failed, this was replaced under warranty. The alarm occasionally sounded for no reason.

I sold the car as I had read stories that major repairs are often needed to these cars at more than three years old, which are usually very expensive. Steering and suspension are apparently weak areas. I'm told the semi-auto is a bit of a dog.

160 Classic LWB SE 5dr

Gregory Moroney Barnett
,
West Midlands
.
Date:
24/02/2005

Overall verdict

4
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

3
out of 5 stars

Running costs

3
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

3
out of 5 stars

My car

This is our second A-Class and the main reason for buying it was to secure a lower mileage version that had previously been privately owned as opposed to previous one from the Easy fleet.

Both cars have been bought from Mercedes Benz Direct. The first experience was better than the second when it comes to the buying. However, the service team do provide a high quality of service when anything needs doing.

Despite suggestions that the car is not a driver's car, when my wife allows me to drive it I enjoy the experience. On a recent trip to Wembley having to take a route from St Albans, being M1 to A406, the commanding height of the car allows you to relax and compete with the cut- throat London cabbies. The slow but usually acceptable performing 1.6 engine did not always allow me to beat the 'competing' road user who chose to be in a 'straight on' only lane in order to turn right with me.

If only the car was more of a Zafira, I would definitely rate it higher because I just love the shape of the car and can forgive it most things due to that unique appearance. Even the fact that it is not the most economical of cars; but then, I do not consider my son and wife's safety has too high a price.

I am not too keen on the appearance of the new one, although I have only seen it in pictures. Can you arrange for me to test one?